Around the world, there are brave earth rights defenders linked by their courage fighting systems of corporate and financial greed.

Faces of Change is a human rights storytelling initiative from EarthRights. Our goal is to amplify stories that are usually silenced, provide a space for them to be told, heard and shared, and generate meaningful and long-lasting dialogue and change. Launched in 2014, this initiative provides a platform for our partners, students, alumni, staff, and other members of the EarthRights family to share their personal stories of working for human rights and the environment.

Storytelling is the thread that weaves us all together, the activity that makes humans uniquely human. Stories bridge linguistic and cultural boundaries. They entertain, educate, and shape and preserve our cultures and morals. Stories record lessons from our history and illuminate visions for our future.

In recent years, human rights storytelling and digital storytelling have become increasingly important tools for justice. For survivors and perpetrators of human rights abuses, speaking one’s own truth can transform pain and suffering into dignity and hope. For the audience, these stories can be a window into understanding the most difficult human experiences, and through that window, they can cultivate compassion, courage, and understanding.

These stories have been documented through participatory practices and in-depth collaboration between our staff and the communities we serve. They are told through a variety of mixed media including film, animation, photography, audio, and prose.